How Agentic AI and Semantic Layers Are Transforming Enterprise Analytics

More from Data-Driven Podcast All episodes →

1. 

   E40 · 25 Mar 2026 · 32 min

   Semantic Layers, OSI & AI: Why Context Beats Data Access

   What does enterprise AI actually need to succeed: more data access or better context? In this episode of the Data-Driven Podcast, AtScale CTO Dave Mariani sits down with Coginiti CTO Matthew Mullins to unpack one of the most important debates in modern data architecture: access vs. understanding. The conversation explores the rise of the semantic layer, the role of open semantics, and why initiatives like the Open Semantic Interchange (OSI) matter for the future of AI and analytics. Matthew s...

2. 

   E39 · 28 Jan 2026 · 33 min

   AI Needs Context: Semantic Layers, Metadata & Trust in 2026

   In this episode of the AtScale Data-Driven Podcast, Dave Mariani sits down with Juan Sequeda, Principal Researcher at ServiceNow and former Head of the AI Lab at data.world, to explore what’s next for analytics, AI, and trust in 2026. As AI becomes embedded across the enterprise, one issue is emerging as a hard blocker: lack of context. Large Language Models are powerful, but without semantic layers, governed metadata, and shared business definitions, they struggle to produce reliable, explai...

3. 

   E38 · 16 Dec 2025 · 34 min

   How MCP + Semantic Layers Turn LLMs Into Trusted BI Analysts

   Large Language Models (LLMs) are transforming analytics, but only when paired with the right foundation. In this episode, AtScale’s CTO and co-founder Dave Mariani, co-founder Dianne Wood, and product director Petar Staykov show how Model Context Protocol (MCP) and the semantic layer unlock trusted, governed, enterprise-ready AI. You’ll get a full end-to-end walkthrough of Claude using AtScale’s MCP server to: Discover available semantic models via list-models tools Understand metrics, a...

4. 

   S1 · E37 · 10 Dec 2025 · 38 min

   The AI Frontier: Semantic Layers for Autonomous Agents with Jens Kröhnert

   Dave Mariani and Jens Kröhnert explore the "AI Frontier:” how semantic layers enable AI agents to operate autonomously without hallucinations or governance drift. Both veterans of scaling Microsoft BI stacks on Hadoop, they discuss why machines need semantic context even more than humans do. Topics include the AI Frontier operational model from Microsoft Research, automating semantic model development with Oraylis's Datamate tool, and Model Context Protocol (MCP) as universal infrastructure f...

5. 

   S1 · E36 · 10 Nov 2025 · 32 min

   Composable Analytics & the Future of the Semantic Layer: Building for the Age of AI Agents

   In this episode of AtScale’s Data-Driven Podcast, host Dave Mariani, Co-Founder & CTO at AtScale, is joined by Petar Staykov, Product Director, and Daniel Gray, VP of Solutions Engineering, for a deep dive into composable analytics—the architectural shift that’s transforming how enterprises model, govern, and scale data in the era of AI agents. Key Takeaway Composable analytics isn’t just a design pattern—it’s the foundation for governed, scalable, and AI-ready data ecosystems. Learn how ...

6. 

   S1 · E34 · 8 Nov 2024 · 31 min

   Open Source Semantics: Setting the Standard for Interoperability with Databricks and AtScale

   In this episode of the Data Driven Podcast, Dave Mariani, CTO and Co-Founder of AtScale, sits down with Dale Williamson, EMEA CTO at Databricks, to explore the transformative role of open source standards and semantic layers in modern analytics. They discuss the importance of interoperability in data infrastructure, the impact of generative AI on democratizing analytics, and how the right semantic layer can bridge complex data to natural language for everyone. Together, AtScale and Databricks...

7. 

   S1 · E33 · 1 Nov 2024 · 18 min

   Introducing SML: The Open Standard for Seamless Semantic Layer Integration

   In this episode, AtScale’s CTO and Co-founder, Dave Mariani and VP of Engineering John Langton, discuss the exciting open-source release of the Semantic Modeling Language (SML) and its transformative potential for the data analytics industry. They dive into how SML establishes the first open standard for the semantic layer, enabling businesses to seamlessly define, share, and scale their data models across platforms like Power BI, Tableau, and Looker. John also explores the broader industry i...

8. 

   S1 · E32 · 1 Nov 2024 · 29 min

   Revolutionizing Data: New Research on Natural Language Prompting with AtScale’s Semantic Layer and Generative AI

   Welcome to the latest episode of the Data-Driven Podcast! Host Dave Mariani is joined by Jeff Curran, Lead Data Scientist at AtScale, for a deep dive into the transformative power of Generative AI in business intelligence. Jeff shares his pioneering research, demonstrating how AtScale’s semantic layer bridges the gap between natural language queries and accurate business insights. Explore the challenges and solutions in integrating AI with BI tools and learn how this innovation can make data-...

9. 

   S1 · E31 · 1 Nov 2024 · 30 min

   The Power BI Evolution: An MVP’s Unfiltered Journey

   In this episode, AtScale CTO and co-founder Dave Mariani chats with Greg Deckler, Vice President at a global IT services firm and a seven-time Microsoft MVP. They discuss Microsoft’s strategy with Power BI and its integration with Microsoft Fabric, with Deckler critiquing the rushed release and its early limitations. Both express skepticism about business users adopting more complex tools, citing ongoing challenges like measuring totals. They also discuss the impact of generative AI on busine...

10. 

    S1 · E30 · 1 Nov 2024 · 32 min

    Navigating the Intersection of Semantics, AI, and Enterprise Innovation with Juan Sequeda

    Dave Mariani interviews Juan Sequeda, the Principal Scientist at data.world. They discuss Juan’s Benchmark report on Knowledge Graphics and semantics. The conversation also covers generative AI and its role in the future of enterprise innovation.